What to Watch / August 16, 2023
In which I start suggesting unpacking your queue of unwatched shows
Time to catch up on that queue you've been sitting on since 2019 because this is less a 'What to Watch' and more of a 'Yikes, That's All There Is to Watch?!' list. On that note, let's get to it already:
Wednesday - August 16
Hulu / Miguel Wants to Fight (movie). When Miguel learns he's moving, instead of telling his close-knit group of friends the news, he does what any well-adjusted teenager would do: he tells them he needs to get into a fight for the first time in his life resulting in a charming mix of Scott Pilgrim-ish video game-inspired fight sequences with a bit of early Karate Kid for good measure. Reviews are solid including this from The Hollywood Reporter: 'a surprisingly heartwarming and relatable story.' Created by Shea Serrano (Primo), this stars Tyler Dean Flores (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Dascha Polanco (Orange Is the New Black). Trailer here.
Netflix / Depp v. Heard (docuseries). As YouTuber @SteezyKane best put it: 'Damn the writers really are on strike.' Yes, they are, @SteezyKane, yes, they are. Trailer here.
Thursday - August 17
Returning - Peacock, Killing It; Netflix, The Upshaws
Friday - August 18
Netflix / The Monkey King (movie). Jimmy O. Yang (Crazy Rich Asians) stars as the monkey who would be king in this well-reviewed animated feature inspired by an ancient Chinese tale. Also features voice work by Bowen Yang (SNL) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once). Trailer here.
Prime Video / Harlan Coben's Shelter, S1. If the title didn't clue you in, this limited series is adapted from Harlan Coben's novel, Shelter, and follows a teen who tries to solve a series of disappearances with his newfound friends - disappearances that may all be connected to his late father and that creepy lady who lives in the house down the way. Stars Jaden Michael (Colin in Black & White), Constance Zimmer (UnReal), Peter Riegert (Crossing Delancey), and Didi Conn (Benson). Trailer here.
Prime Video (FreeVee) / Puppy Love (movie). CW alums Grant Gustin (The Flash) and Lucy Hale (Privileged) unite in this rom-com about a socially awkward guy and a wild child gal who stick it out together when they learn that their dogs are going to have puppies. Some meet cute. (Have your pets spayed or neutered - good night everybody!) Trailer here.
Apple TV+ / Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie (special). This one-off focuses on Marcie and celebrates her introvert ways as she gets recognized as someone who just helps make things work - and who presumably then cancels when her friends try to throw her a celebratory dinner. I see you, girl. Trailer here.
Sunday - August 20
MGM+ / The Winter King (limited series). Based on Bernard Cromwell's Warlord Chronicles, this ambitious epic follows a young Arthur as he struggles to unite a kingdom. Stars Iain De Caestecker (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Eddie Marsan (Salt). Trailer here.
MGM+ / San Francisco Sounds: A Place in Time (docuseries). This two-parter explores the groundbreaking musical acts that emerged from Baghdad-by-the-Bay in the late '60's including The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, The Doobie Brothers, Janis Joplin, Journey, Sly and the Family Stone, and others. Trailer here.
And that's it for the week! No really. Time to watch (or re-watch) Halt and Catch Fire, everybody!
Moira